Compound plasma configuration, and method and apparatus for generating a compound plasma configuration

ABSTRACT

A compound plasma configuration can be formed from a device having pins, and an annular electrode surrounding the pins. A cylindrical conductor is electrically connected to, and coaxial with, the annular electrode, and a helical conductor coaxial with the cylindrical conductor. The helical conductor is composed of wires, each wire electrically connected to each pin. The annular electrode and the pins are disposed in the same direction away from the interior of the conducting cylinder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of co-pending Ser. No.09/046,709 filed Mar. 24, 1998.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/080,580, filed on Sep. 25, 1998 and to Ser. No. 09/046,709 filed Mar.24, 1998, which is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/US96/15474, filed on Sep. 24, 1996, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/004,256, filed on Sep. 25, 1995, No.60/004,255 filed Sep. 25, 1995 and No. 60/004,287, filed on Sep. 25,1995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming acompound plasma configuration, as well as a new compound plasmaconfiguration.

2. Discussion of the Background

A compound plasma-configuration, also known as a PMK (PlasmaMantle-Kernel) configuration has been described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,023,065; 4,891,180; 5,015,432; and 5,041,760. The structure of the PMKis shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken from U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,065. Asdescribed in that patent, the PMK 42 has three major regions: an innerkernel 36, a vacuum field region 26, and a mantle 28. Inner kernel 36 isa single toroidal current loop. The mantle 28 is composed of ionizedmaterial and is surrounded by a fluid 10, such as an atmosphere of gas.The vacuum field region 26, separates the mantle and the kernel.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also taken from U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,065, provide moredetail of the inner kernel. The plasma kernel 36 produces a poloidalmagnetic field within and around it, illustrated by flux lines 34. Acircular surface current 38 circulates about the minor axis throughoutthe volume of the toroidal kernel. These currents 38 result in atoroidal magnetic field within the heart of the kernel 36, representedby flux lines 40.

The mantle 28 has a generally ellipsoidal shape surrounding the kernel36, substantially as shown in FIG. 1. This configuration is asubstantially stable one in that the kernel 36 exists in a vacuum fieldregion 26 and thus does not dissipate rapidly. The kernel current alsoproduces a strong poloidal field, represented by the flux lines 34supporting the ionized particles in the mantle 28. This prevents themantle 28 from collapsing into the vacuum field region 26. However, themantle 28 is prevented from expansion because the pressure of theinternal poloidal field reaches equilibrium with a fluid pressure of theexternal fluid 10.

A weak poloidal current 44 may exist which circulates around the mantle28 threads through the center of the toroidal kernel 36 following theflux lines of the poloidal field generated by the kernel 36, asillustrated in FIG. 2. The poloidal current 44 results in the formationof a toroidal field within the vacuum field region 26, as illustrated byflux lines 46. The sum of the toroidal and poloidal fields is not shown.

The vacuum field region within the PMK hinders the kernel current fromlosing conductivity due to diffusion of current particles. As a resultthe kernel may exist for a period of time during which its energy lossesare limited to high temperature radiation to the mantle.

The plasma configuration does not depend on-any external electric ormagnetic fields for its existence or stability. Rather it is similar toa charged battery in that it is able to internally store or retainmagnetic energy for a period of time depending on its conductivity,surrounding fluid pressure, and its internal energy content. The chargedparticles forming the ionized mantle generally will not penetrate theintensive poloidal field generated by the circulating current formingthe kernel. Thus physical fluid pressure can be exerted on the mantlefor compressing the mantle. However, compression of the mantle willforce compression of the poloidal field, and will result in increasingthe energy and temperature of the kernel. Accordingly, the internaltemperature and energy of the PMK, a plasma, may be increased byapplying mechanical fluid pressure to the exterior surface of themantle. If a gas or liquid is used to apply fluid pressure to themantle, particles will diffuse through and penetrate the mantle,however, these particles will become ionized as they are exposed to theintense heat radiated by the kernel. Thus, in effect, these particleswill become part of the mantle and will be unable to penetrate themagnetic field within the PMK in large quantities. Therefore, the nearvacuum conditions in the vacuum field region will be maintained by theinherent internal energy of the compound plasma configuration. Thus thePMK is unique in that it establishes an interface between mechanicalpressure and a circulating plasma current.

Previously a PMK could be generated by creating a helical ionized regionin a gas, and then passing a large current through this ionized region,as described in the prior art patents referenced above. The resultinghelical current collapses, forming the inner toroidal kernel as well asthe outer mantle. However, this method inefficiently applied a largeamount of energy simultaneously to a substantial volume of the media inwhich the PMK would be formed. Consequently, the energy applied to eachsmall volume of the region was reduced, and thus the effectiveenergizing of the media was slower and required more time.

As noted, these previous processes were somewhat unreliable.Furthermore, an apparatus necessary to generate a PMK in this fashion israther complex, requiring a separate power source for generating ahelical ionized region in the gas, such as a plasma gun or a flash lamp,in addition to a high voltage source for passing current through theionized region. Furthermore, this apparatus is quite inductive from theoutset, due to its size, thus retarding the rise time of the current atinitiation.

The compound plasma configuration produced by these earlier methods alsolacked in total lifetime and stability. Generally, a compound plasmaconfiguration having closed inductive circuits, may have a decay timethat is the product of its characteristic inductance and conductivity.The inductance of the plasmoids is generally fixed, and therefore thelifetime of a ten centimeter diameter plasmoid will vary with itsconductivity. The compound plasma configurations generated previouslyhad lifetimes on the order of a few microseconds. For example, suchcompound plasma configurations have been described in a publication byDaniel R. Wells, Paul Edward Ziajka, and Jack L. Tunstall, HydrodynamicConfinement of Thermonuclear Plasmas TRISOPS VIII (Plasma LinearConfinement), Fusion Tech. 9:83 (1986). In this case plasma rings weregenerated from two opposing plasma guns which were magnetically repelledtowards each other and merged centrally and co-axially with a thetapinch compression coil. When the theta pinch coil was fired, itgenerated a typical compression wave from the pre-ionized backgroundplasma. In the cases where a preexisting axial magnetic guide field wasnot generated, the collapsing plasma pressure wave was timed tointercept and crush the merged magnetic plasma ring, thus forming acompound plasma configuration. This compound plasma configuration wasnaturally compression heated to high peak pressures which arose from theinertially driven compression wave, igniting a fusion reaction in thedeuterium fuel. However, because of the very short lifetime (1microsecond) of the initially merged ring, the very strong compressionalenergizing of the plasma could not extend fusion reaction timessufficiently to generate a break even fusion burn. This demonstrates theneed for a compound plasma configuration with a greater lifetime andstability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple device whichcan reliably generate a PMK.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple methodfor generating a PMK.

A further object is to provide a device and method which can reliablyand reproducibly prepare a PMK.

A further object is to provide a new compound magnetized plasmaconfiguration with a long lifetime.

A further object is to provide uses for a new compound magnetized plasmaconfiguration.

These objects are provided by a device, comprising a conductive cylinderhaving an open end, an annular electrode, a plurality of pins, and ahelical conductor having an open end and comprising a plurality ofwires. The pins are each electrically connected to each of the wires,and protrude from the open end of the helical conductor. The annularelectrode is electrically connected to the conducting cylinder. Thehelical conductor is coaxial with the conducting cylinder, and the pinsare disposed away from an interior of the helical conductor and areencircled by the annular electrode.

These objects are also provided by a method of producing a compoundplasma configuration, comprising driving a current through a plasmawhile simultaneously generating a magnetic field, and inflating theplasma with the magnetic field.

In addition, these objects can also be provided by a compound plasmaconfiguration comprising a kernel, a vacuum field region and a mantle,wherein the kernel and the mantle have hyperconducting electriccurrents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood from the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which like referencecharacters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the parts of the compound plasma configuration (PMK)formed according to the invention; and are reproduced from U.S. Pat. No.4,023,065.

FIGS. 3 and 4, also reproduced from U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,065, provide amore detailed view of the inner toroidal kernel of the compound plasmaconfiguration (PMK);

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a source and a coaxial mountingbus with the impulse circuit for generating a compound plasmaconfiguration, shown schematically.

FIG. 6 is a view of the formation end of the source.

FIG. 7 is a cut away side view of the source.

FIG. 8 is a magnified illustration of the helical conductor portion ofthe source.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of the coaxial mounting bus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the impulse circuit.

FIG. 11 is a graphical diagram illustrating current generated by theimpulse circuit versus time.

FIGS. 12A through 12H illustrate the inflation sequence of a plasma toform a compound plasma configuration (PMK).

FIGS. 13A-B are cross sectional illustrations of the mantle of the PMKaccording to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an electrical power generating systememploying the invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a thermal thrust engine according to theinvention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of an inductive MHD convertor.

FIGS. 17A through 17D are graphical diagrams of vacuum field-plasmaedges.

FIG. 18 is a perspective illustration of a source.

FIG. 19 shows the parts of a PMK burner according to the invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a PMK hyperdrive according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An example of a device and additional supporting structures aredescribed in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates three parts: a source 100,mounted to a coaxial mounting bus 102 which in turn is connected to animpulse circuit 104. The source is the device which forms a compoundplasma configuration (PMK). The coaxial mounting bus is a convenient wayto attach the source to the impulse circuit and allow for linking of theaxial flux produced in the source through the forming PMK. The impulsecircuit is one way to drive the source in order to form a compoundplasma configuration.

The compound plasma configuration is produced at the formation end 106of the source 100. An end on view of this formation end is shown in FIG.6. The outermost ring is an optional insulating support cylinder 108.Moving toward the center the next ring in represents an annularelectrode 111. Continuing inward, the next ring represents insulation112, which is strong, rigid, and completely fills the volume within theconducting cylinder 110 and within which is embedded a helical conductor114, both of which are shown in FIG. 7. Protruding from the helicalconductor 114 through the insulation 112 are a plurality of pins 116.Also protruding through the insulation is the annular electrode 111which is electrically connected to the conducting cylinder 110.

FIG. 7 is a cut away side view of the source 100. The generallycylindrical helical conductor 114 is composed of a plurality of equallyspaced wires 118, each wire forming a similar helical path. Preferably,the helical conductor is composed of at least three wires, mostpreferably at least 5 wires. These individual wires 118 may have aninsulating coating which may be different from the insulation 112 withinwhich the helical conductor 114 is embedded. The wires 118 together eachtraverse the full length of the helical conductor 114 in the heliformmanner described, and then constrict into a straight axial bundle 113,illustrated in FIG. 8, in the region beyond the termination ofconducting cylinder 110 at the attached conducting support disk 120. Theaxial bundle 113 is within and coaxial with insulating tube 124, thusallowing axial magnetic flux produced by the helical conductor 114during operation to link together around the conducting cylinder.

The conducting cylinder 110 is electrically connected to a conductingsupport disk 120, which may optionally have a slit 122 cut through it tohelp suppress currents induced by axial magnetic flux. Conductingsupport disk 120 has fastening holes 228 for fastening the coaxialmounting bus 102 to the source 100. Extending through the conductingcylinder 110, through the support disk 120, and out, is an insulatingtube 124 within which an extension of the axial bundle 113 attach toconnector rod 126. The insulating tube may form part of the insulation112 within which the helical conductor 114 is embedded. Extending outfrom the insulating tube 124 is a connector rod 126. The connector rod126 is electrically connected to the axial bundle 113, and thereforeelectrically coupled to the helical conductor 114.

FIG. 8 is a magnified illustration of a helical conductor 114. Asillustrated, the wires 118 form one or more revolutions around the axis130 of the helical conductor 114, and a tangent 128 to the wires formsan angle a 132 with the axis 130 of the helical conductor 114. The angledescribes what is known in the art as helicity. Generally, helicity islow so that this angle would normally be below 30 degrees, preferably10-30 degrees. This allows for PMKs to be formed with less residualvelocity and better energy efficiency. However, this may sacrificesource life; the magnetic stress can be quite high since the helicalconductor will suffer net strong radial compression. By setting thehelicity to 45 degrees, the source currents will tend to be moreforce-free, relieving radial stress, and generally leading to a longeruseful life and the capacity for higher loadings, i.e., high power. Withthis choice of helicity, push-off velocities can be on the order of tenkilometers per second in STP air, leaving the PMK with less totalinternal energy. For forming a PMK with more kinetic energy, the angleis preferably 30-80 degrees. As the helical conductor is lengthened, thegreater the magnetic field and the more energy is transfered into thegrowing PMK. However, this increases the inductance and slows down thecurrent pulse. By considering the speed of the current pulse, and thesetwo competing factors, a length suitable to the circuit which drives thesource can be selected. The outward radial stress of high loadings onconducting cylinder 110 generally is well tolerated with a choice ofconducting materials and the support of support cylinder 108. FIG. 8also illustrates a cylinder of the insulation 112 which would be insidethe helical conductor 114 and the axial bundle 113.

The insulation 112 inside of the source may completely fill the interiorof the conducting cylinder 110 and encase the helical conductor 114. Formaterials used for a more expensive version of this source, theinsulation 112 inside of the source may be filled with a strong, hightemperature non-porous ceramic with resistance to mechanical shock andplasma flux, which fills the interior of a refractory conductingcylinder 110 and embeds a refractory helical conductor 114. One suitablecandidate for such conducting medium is pure boron metal. For highlyloaded fusion applications the refractory conducting media may becomposed of the purified isotope, boron 11 (¹¹B). The choice of materialused in the annular electrode 111 includes using the same conductingmaterial as the conducting cylinder 110. Likewise, the pins 116 may bemade of the same material as the helical conductor 114 by extending thewires 118, with any insulation removed, for a short distance beyond theinsulator 112. For materials used for a less expensive version of thissource, see the Example.

FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the source 100. A pinchingcoil 280 may be placed coaxially in the plane of the electrodes or justabove the source 100, and can be used to pinch off and separate thecompound plasma configuration as formation has finished, in the regionwhere plasma sheath 192, illustrated in FIG. 12H, would be attached tothe annular electrode 111. This may allow for the reduction ofcontaminants from the pins 116 or annular electrode 111 from enteringthe forming PMK. Furthermore, this pinching coil may also be bowlshaped, in which case it can add additional momentum to the compoundplasma configuration translating away from the source.

A section of the support cylinder 108 which would normally be presenthas been cut away (dotted line) in FIG. 18 in order to illustrate fluxslots 282 and conducting cylinder 110. The flux slots 282 may be formedin the conducting cylinder 110 to provide flux produced by the helicalconductor 114 an alternate opening to more freely link by reenteringabove the conducting disk 134.

A perspective of the coaxial mounting bus 102 is illustrated in FIG. 9.The coaxial mounting bus functions to electrically couple the source 100and the impulse circuit 104, without interfering with magnetic fieldsproduced by the source 100 during operation. The ends of the coaxialmounting bus 102 may be a front conducting disk 134 with a front hole136 in the center, and a rear conducting disk 135 with rear hole 137.These conducting disks 134 and 135 are connected together by a pluralityof conducting support rods 138. The support rods 138 electrically andmechanically couple the conducting disks 134 and 135, without inhibitingthe linking of magnetic flux produced by the source 100 duringoperation. The source 100 may be attached to the coaxial mounting bus102 and axial center pin 147 by fastening the support disk 120 to thefront conducting disks 134, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This electricallycouples the conducting cylinder 110 to the coaxial mounting bus 102. Therear conducting disk 135 is electrically coupled to the impulse circuit104. The insulating tube 124 and connector rod 126 of the back end ofthe source 140 passes through the front hole 136 in the front conductingdisk 134 and within the axial center insulator tube 149. As alsoillustrated in FIG. 5, the connector rod 126 can be electrically coupledto the impulse circuit 104 via the axial center pin 147, for example,using a swage connector 151. The electrical coupling of the axial centerpin 147 can pass through the hole 137 in the rear conducting disk 135and electrically connect to the impulse circuit 104. The frontconducting disk 134 may also have a plurality of holes 142 forattachment of the support rods 138, as well as a plurality of fasteningholes 144 for attachment to the support disk 120. For electricalcoupling to the impulse circuit 104, the rear conducting disk 135 mayhave fastening holes 145 for attachments to electrically couple to theimpulse circuit 104. The rear conducting disk may also have holes 143for attachment of support rods 138. In FIG. 5 axial insulator tube 149has been omitted in order to make visible those elements which wouldotherwise be hidden, such as the axial center pin 147, the hole in therear conducting disk 137, and the swage connector 151.

The impulse circuit 104 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10. Theimpulse circuit 104 contains circuit elements connected through aparallel plate transmission line, which is composed of a ground plate288, a capacitor plate 290 and a source plate 292. A parallel platetransmission line is suitable for high power applications, oralternatively, a bundle of coaxial cables could be substituted for theparallel plate transmission line. The ground plate 288 is continuous andconnects all circuit elements and ground 298. The high voltage plateconsists of two pieces, a capacitor plate 290 and a source plate 292.The capacitor plate 290 and source plate 292 may be electricallyconnected through a fast-rise high current firing switch 150. Theimpulse circuit 104 has a power supply 146, which is connected acrossthe capacitor plate 290 and the ground plate 288. The capacitor plate290 is connected to the high side of capacitor bank 148 and the highside of the firing switch 150. The ground plate 288 is connected to theground side of the capacitor bank 148 and each of the elements connectedto the source plate 292. The source plate 292 connects the low voltageside of the firing switch 150 to the high voltage side of the crowbarswitch 152, and is electrically coupled to the source 100 through thecoaxial mounting bus 102. The low side of the crowbar switch 152 and theconducting cylinder 110 are electrically coupled coaxially to the groundplate 288, the latter via axial center pin 147. Optionally, along theelectrical coupling between the high voltage side of capacitor bank 148and the capacitor plate 290 may be a fuse 156. FIG. 10 also includesplasma 158 produced during operation.

The impulse circuit is principally a modified LC circuit, for thepurpose of achieving a rectified current waveform. This may be achievedthrough the use of crowbar switches or by balancing the inductance andcapacitance of the circuit against the inductive load of the formingplasma. The capacitor bank supplies stored energy in the form of chargeat a high potential to drive high current levels to the source anddeveloping compound plasma configuration. The low inductance parallelplate transmission line, and low inductance circuit elements, includingthe high current switch, allow the total stored charge to drive a fastrising current pulse through the source and developing compound plasmaconfiguration. At peak current, the circuit energy is storedmagnetically in proportion to the distributed inductance of the circuitelements. More of the circuit inductance may be concentrated in theforming PMK during its maturing stages of development. This will havethe effect of retarding the current of the circuit, producing a waveformin which the current is depleted more quickly, as shown in FIG. 11.Although the current may be dropping with time, the effective energystored within the increasing inductive load of the maturing PMKcontinues to increase. Near the peak of the current pulse, the crowbar(shorting) switch, or bank of such switches, is used to shunt thecurrent across a transmission line between the capacitor bank and theremaining circuit components. The crowbar switch 152 can be activatedusing for example, trigger 160. This procedure traps or locks thecircuit energy in the magnetic (high current) mode, thus thwarting theloss of magnetic energy from the maturing compound plasma configuration.

Shunting the current across the transmission line between the capacitorbank and the remaining circuit components hinders circuit currentreversal, or ringing, by inhibiting the circulating current fromrecharging the capacitors, in conjunction with the increasing inductanceof the forming PMK, significantly extending the lifetimes of thecapacitors. The current wave form is almost lightning-like with a veryfast rise time or leading edge and followed by a monotonicallydecreasing decay time, where the rate of drop decreases due to therising inductance load of the maturing compound plasma configuration.

FIG. 11 is a graphical diagram illustrating current generated by theimpulse circuit versus time. As used in this application, bactrian-shapemeans exactly the shape of the current versus time curve of FIG. 11. Theletters on the time axis correspond to the formation stages of thecompound plasma configuration illustrated in FIGS. 12A through 12H. Oncethe capacitor bank has been charged, the firing switch is closed,allowing current to flow through the impulse circuit, and the source,breaking down the fluid and forming a plasma annulus between the annularelectrode and the pins. This drives current through the helicalconductor, through the pins, through the conducting cylinder, as well asthrough the plasma present between the pins and the annular electrode.The current which passes through the helical conductor also generatesand partitions magnetic fields, both an axial or solenoidal field in thez direction along the axis and within the volume of the helicalconductor, and an azimuthal field within the volume between the helicalconductor and the conducting cylinder. The axial field generated withinthe helical conductor extends outwardly from both ends of the helicalconductor, and links externally to the conducting cylinder. At one end,this magnetic flux passes through coaxial mounting bus and at the otherend it passes outward through a hole defined by the pins and the innerrim of the plasma annulus. Essentially, this flux does not cut thesurface of the plasma annulus or the conducting cylinder. The azimuthalmagnetic field exerts pressure on the conducting cylinder, the helicalconductor and the plasma annulus and its radial current, inflating theplasma to initiate formation of a series of stages of PMK formation, toproduce a compound plasma configuration, and illustrated in FIGS. 12Athrough 12H.

The impulse circuit described here lies at a low level of energy andpeak power in comparison with the far higher range of energy and peakpower currently used in the field. Furthermore, there are Marxgenerators, and inductively driven pulse generator, for example,technology which may be used to drive a suitably scaled source.

For very high energy cases, conventional fuses or delayed inductiveopening switches may optionally be employed to extinguish the remainingcurrent and isolate the source from the newly formed PMK late in thedischarge, as indicated in FIG. 11. Such a device may also be employedwith a resistive bypass. This will have the effect of reducing thecurrent after energy transfer into the forming compound plasmaconfiguration. Consequently, there may be a reduction in the amount ofblow off plasma and therefore less wear on the source.

The compound plasma configuration of the present invention comprises akernel 36, a vacuum field region 26, and a mantle 28, as mentionedabove, and may be established in the same type of gaseous environmentsas described in the earlier referenced patents of the same inventor.However, the unique formation method and apparatus of the presentinvention provide the resulting PMK with different structuralcharacteristics than that of the previously. disclosed PMKs. The presentinvention has a rather small volume between the pins and the annularelectrode, so the energy of the circuit is deposited initially in asmall volume. Consequently the present invention has very high powerdensity. In contrast, the previous devices deposited their energy acrossa large volume, resulting in low power density. The PMKs formed by thepresent invention gain higher conductivity faster, as well as moreenergy quickly, because the power density is so concentrated.

A detailed cross section of the mantle 28 is shown in FIGS. 13A-B. Thecross section of the mantle can be viewed as having two principalsections, when surrounded by fluid 10, rather than a plasma. Theinnermost section is the ionized region 166 and the outer section is theweakly ionized region 168. When formed in air, each region of the mantlehas layered plasma regimes which form a radial gradient in the mantleplasma, and is arranged in descending order from highest energy(innermost layer) to lowest energy (outermost layer). When formed in aninert gas which does not form molecules, layer differentiation issimpler.

The ionized region has a sharp edge 170 which is itself composed of awider outer (vacuum region side) predominately ion layer 172 and athinner inner (plasma side) predominately electron layer 174, as shownin the magnified view of FIG. 13B. This sharp edge has a boundary whichis nearly a perfect step function from mantle 28 to a vacuum fieldregion 26. It acts as a close approximation to the results anticipatedunder the ideal of a step function. This boundary may be slightlydiffuse, in a degraded PMK, due to the presence of impurities such asdust, poor formation or nearness to the end of the lifetime of the PMK.

Continuing outward from the electron layer 174 is a hot layer 176, aphoto ionized plasma 178 and finally a divergence layer 180. Thedivergence layer 180 is the layer farthest from the kernel 36, intowhich the majority of the fully ionizing radiation from the kernel canpenetrate. The bulk of the ionizing radiation from the kernel plasma isabsorbed in the divergence layer 180 due to the influx through theweakly ionized region 168 by diffusion of the excited high capture crosssection neutrals.

The weakly ionized region 168 has an innermost photo excited layer 182,and a mixed plasma fluid edge 184. This layer may contain ionizedmolecules and is enclosed by the fluid 10, such as a gaseous atmosphere.

FIGS. 12A through 12H illustrate the inflation sequence of a plasma toform a compound plasma configuration (PMK). The formation sequence, onceproperly triggered and set under the proper conditions, as taught by theinvention, proceeds automatically. FIG. 12A illustrates the triggeringstage of PMK formation, showing an initial plasma annulus 186, withdiverging solenoid field 188 protruding through a central hole 190 inthe plasma annulus 186. The plasma annulus forms between the pins 116and the annular electrode 111, neither of which are shown in FIGS. 12Athrough 12H, for clarity. The plasma annulus is formed when an impulsecurrent is initially fed to the source 100.

FIG. 12B illustrates the plasma ballooning stage of PMK formation,formed by the forces of the azimuthal field 198 upon the plasma annulus186. This ballooning stage is similar to the, plasma focus, which iswell known by artisans skilled in the art of plasma physics, except thatthe axial magnetic field 196 is trapped within the newly formed centralchannel 194, which prevents pinch-off of channel 194 by compression dueto the surrounding azimuthal field 198. Therefore, in the plasmaballooning stage, a plasma sheath 192 and central channel 194 are formedfrom the plasma annulus 186. The current passing through the source 100and the plasma annulus 186 generate an axial magnetic field 196 whichthreads through a central channel 194. An internal azimuthal field 198is formed which fills the plasma cavity 199 and impinges upon the facingsurfaces of the plasma channel 194 and plasma sheath 192. Both fieldsproduce pressure against the surface of the central plasma channel 194.In the region of pins 116 at the terminus 195 of the central channel194, the plasma remains resistive and turbulent during the formation,allowing some mixing of the azimuthal 198 and axial fields 196. Thismixing drives powerful vortex flows in the plasma, which can erode thepins 116. By making the pins 116 blade-like with their edges alignedwith the flow of the vortex, a reduction in drag and ablation may occur.

FIG. 12C illustrates the linear Z-pinch stage of PMK formation. In thisstage, the plasma sheath 192 continues to inflate, and the centralchannel 194 elongates. The elongation of the central channel 194 withits attendant high current and azimuthal field 198 and trapped axialfield 196 resembles the stabilized classical linear Z-pinch. The plasmacavity 199 continues to expand rapidly, mostly by growing in length, aslong as magnetic energy is pumped into it. This stage may occur when thecircuit current has reached its maximum value, approximately at 162 inFIG. 11.

FIG. 12D illustrates the helical stage of PMK formation. As the centralchannel 194 continues to lengthen, a second instability (M=1) comes intoplay, which triggers slowed kinking of the central channel 194 due tothe embedded axial field 196. A nearly uniform helical winding of thegrowing central channel 194 produces plasma channel helix 200. As thisprocess continues, the growing helix 200 increases the circuitinductance, reducing the circuit current level while increasing theenergy of the forming PMK. A poloidal field component, illustrated byflux lines 202, which links the helix 200 together, becomes dominant.Dominance of the poloidal field 202 is associated with the tilting ofthe azimuthal field 198 and the increase in helicity of the centralchannel 194 in the region of the helix 200. The winding process, drivenby magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) forces, i.e., the interaction of theconducting fluid (the plasma) with magnetic and electric fields, twiststhe central channel 194 into a helix 200. The lengthening and formationof this helical geometry increases the inductance and increases thelocal magnetic energy and pressure, which acts upon the plasma,producing a plasma sheath 192 with a more plumped profile in theneighborhood of helix 200, as illustrated at 203.

FIG. 12E illustrates the coalescent stage of PMK formation. Oncemultiple loops 205 of the helix 200 exist they begin to contract intothe mid-plane of the helix 200. This action is driven by the MHD forcesof the poloidal magnetic field 202 on the loops 205 of the helix 200which forces the helix 200 to form a tighter coil with increasedhelicity. The growing helix 200 continues to contract into the mid-planeof the helix 200 and also expand outward. The vertical contraction andradial expansion forces are strongest at the mid-plane of the helix 200due to the increased mutual flux density. Finally the loops 205 withinthe mid-plane begin coalescence in to an initially resistive plasma ring204, thus forming a closed current circuit within the plasma ring 204,which is driven by the poloidal field 202 of the coalescing helix 200,as illustrated in FIG. 12F.

Once the plasma ring 204 is first formed, all of its flux, includingthat of the linked uncoalesced loops 205 of the helix 200, is “trapped”within the plasma ring 204 and is no longer available to drive currentin the external circuit. The contraction of the helix 200 increases themagnetic coupling in the plasma ring 204, driving an EMF thataccelerates the electron current of the plasma ring (azimuthal current208 and poloidal current 211) to energetic or relativistic values,illustrated in FIG. 12G. The increase in intensity of the flux 210results from substantial loss of the azimuthal field 198 componentwithin the plasma ring 204. This effect also provides an EMF whichdrives runaway azimuthal currents 208 at the inner surface of theforming mantle, to relativistic values. These processes generate EMFs onthe order of tens of kilovolts per loop. Since the closing time is onthe order of many microseconds, which allows many revolutions tomultiply the per loop EMF, high gamma runaway currents of many millionelectron volts are produced. The resulting energetic electron currents208 and 211, on the order of ten gamma, are associated withconductivities, known as hyperconductivity, of at least about five orsix orders of magnitude greater than either copper or thermal plasmaconductivities. In the present invention the conductivity is preferablyat least 10¹⁰ (ohm−cm)⁻¹, more preferably at least 10¹¹ (ohm−cm)⁻¹, mostpreferably at least 10¹² (ohm−cm)⁻¹. With the collapsed azimuthal field198 and plasma of the straight section of the central channel 194, theneighboring plasma sheath 192, closes inward driven by the fluid 10. Theportion of the central channel that does not coalesce into the ringcurrent, dissipates rapidly, as indicated at 209. This completes theformation of the stable and distinctive compound plasma configuration,or PMK, 42, illustrated in FIG. 12H.

FIG. 12H illustrates the compound plasma configuration of the presentinvention. Both the kernel 36 and the mantle 28 have hyperconductingcurrents. In addition to the parts already described, the PMK 42 has twoaxi-symmetric polar magnetic cusps 296. These magnetic cusps 296 ejectremnant central channel plasma, as well as divergence layer generatedplasma, which act as polar end plugs 294.

The compound plasma configuration of the present invention is distinctfrom those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,023,065; 4,891,180; 5,015,432;and 5,041,760 as well as those partially described by Wells et al. Thedistinct PMK of the present invention has a lifetime and stabilityorders of magnitude greater, because the currents have a dramaticallyhigher conductivity, also termed hyperconductivity. Distinguishingfeatures between the previous compound plasma configuration and that ofthe present invention include a sharp edge between the plasma and thevacuum field region 26, both between the mantle 28 and the vacuum fieldregion 26, as well as between the kernel 36 and the vacuum field region26. Other differences include: the ability to produce high pressureconfinement fields using much higher current densities, but withoutexcessive destabilization due to the magneto-plasma heating rates; theability to use mantle plasma formed over its non-polar regions tocapture and conserve the energy of ionizing radiation from the plasmakernel 36 to provide plasma mass, which may also act as end pluggingeject a 294 to block the incursion of incoming diffusive neutrals intothe polar magnetic cusps 296; and the ability to preferentially ejecthigher atomic number elements and thus lessen the radiation cooling rateof the mantle 28 in a sort of natural diverter action.

The energy used to form the previously made compound plasmaconfiguration, having a very short lifetime and a similar size, asdemonstrated by Wells et al, exceeds by more than 100 times that used togenerate the PMK of the present invention. Furthermore, compound plasmaconfigurations of the present invention have stable lifetimes about 1000times longer.

Another distinguishing feature of the compound plasma configurations ofthe present invention are the occurrence of knock-on beams. These beamsmay appear to emanate from nodes on the equatorial belt of the mantle,and may be visible when they excite the surrounding fluid under certainconditions. Localized low pressure at the mantle surface may attract thenodes. For example, for a compound plasma configuration with a net driftthrough the surrounding fluid, the beam emissions may occur on a lowpressure or “down wind” side. These emission points may also becontrolled by manipulating the localized plasma pressure along theboundary in the mantle, such as by gas puffing, magnetic impulses, etc.The trajectory of these knock-on beams, once they exit the mantle, canbe controlled or shaped with the application of electric or magneticfields. The beam currents may be measured, which is a reflection of thecollisionality of hyperconducting currents of the compound plasmaconfiguration. Furthermore, the strength and direction of the beams maybe affected by the geometry of the mantle, the size and age of mantle,and the amount and type of the impurities incorporated into the compoundplasma configuration.

A dense powerful pulse of hyperconducting electrons may also be derivedfrom the deliberate mechanical breaking, or occasionally from thecatastrophic natural termination, of a compound plasma configuration.This releases the hyperconducting currents as a highly compact,tangentially (to their confined orbit) escaping beam. These beams can bedirected to produce powerful bursts of high intensity X-rays when theyimpact densely high atomic number elements, such as lead or tungsten.These high gamma electrons may also be used to transmute elements.

The boundary between the mantle 28 and the vacuum field region 26, aswell as the kernel 36 and the vacuum field region 26, has a sharp edge.FIGS. 17A-17D provide graphical diagrams explaining the nature of thesharp edge at the boundary of plasma and the vacuum field.

FIG. 17A shows a thermal conducting mode profile having a diffuse edge,where T₀ 260 is electron temperature, n_(p) 258 is plasma density, R₀262 is the position of the peak plasma density near the boundary withthe vacuum field region and R₀+ΔR 266 is the width of the diffuse Larmorradii (overlapping) vacuum field region boundary at the extreme of thevacuum field region. This diffuse edge is associated with higher energytransport and deeper radial electron thermal gradients that are moretypical of a PMK made by the prior art methods, such as partiallydescribed in Wells et al.

A compound plasma configuration of the present invention, however, has asharp edge graphically depicted in the hyperconducting mode shown inFIG. 17B. The PMK has reduced density and electron temperature gradientsas well as a much narrower Larmor edge at the extreme vacuum fieldregion, which is associated with clamped diffusion due to ahyperconducting boundary current. The relativistic currents in thecompound plasma configuration of the present invention, with theirhyperconductivity, lead to the sharp edge.

FIGS. 17C and 17D provide graphical diagrams explaining the nature ofthe sharp edge, and refocusing of the boundary sheet current andmaintenance of its relativistic (hyperconducting) currents. FIG. 17Cshows the peak magnetic energy density B²/2μ₀ 268 at the plasma edge atr₀ 264 which monotonically decays into the peak plasma density edge atr₀+Δr₀ 266 (electron Larmor radii). The ion Larmor radii extend from theplasma edge r₀+Δr 266 to r₀ 264 in the vacuum field. The net electricfield energy density ε₀E²/2 272 results from the cumulative fieldgenerated by the populations of the ions and the electrons in thisregion. The electric potentials are shown, in FIG. 17D and include amagnetic accelerating EMF ∂B(Φ)/∂t 274 which accelerates the currentwhose distribution is shown as j_(r) 276 which is centered in the notchbetween the peak magnetic energy density B²/2μ₀ 268 and the peakelectric energy density ε₀E²/2 272. The electric field distribution E(r)278 is also illustrated in FIG. 17D for completeness.

The dynamics for keeping the currents centered in this notch are asfollows. For an electron flowing in the region of net higher magneticenergy density, the accelerating force provided by the magneticaccelerating EMF ∂B(Φ)/∂t 274 exceeds the drag due to the lower particledensity in that region. Thus the electron experiences a netacceleration, producing a higher B×v force as the electron experiences anudge into the region of higher electric energy density. However, theaccelerating magnetic EMF ∂B(Φ)/∂t 274 is partially neutralized andreduced in this region by the current, and its net acceleration isdiminished. Consequently, since the current drag is increased due to thehigher particle density h_(r) 270 the electron experiences a netdeceleration in this region, which decreases the magnetic component ofthe Lorenz force and allows the electric component to predominate. Thus,the electron is nudged into the region of higher magnetic energy andlower particle density. Balance between acceleration and drag and thereduction of the net Lorenz force occurs in the mid region which isrepresented by the surface of the peak current density j_(r) 276 as wellas radial balance between the magnetic and electric pressure, allowingfor fantastic dynamic confinement. Since knock-on electrons are drivenquite directly forward when struck by high gamma current electrons, andprovided with shared kinetic energy, these too maybe confined within thecurrent sheet. If the number of knock-on electrons together with thecurrent electrons exceed the confinement capacity of its associatedconfining field, then the excess knock-on electrons will be expelled. Inother words, these electrons or others will be sacrificed to maintainequilibrium and will fly outward, penetrating the boundary, and providethe energetic particles present in the beams, which protrude at variousnodes, as discussed above. Of course, the exit of such beams could bemore diffuse, and in certain blanket fluids generate a glowing ringabout the plasma mantle.

Even hyperconducting electrons have collisions, but these arepredominantly confined to small angle scattering, which will produceionizing radiation. This may excite nitrogen gas, causing florescence,when embedded in a blanket fluid containing this gas. The radiation cantrigger the production of ozone and various nitrous oxides, includingeven nitrogen pentoxide, when blanketed by atmospheric air. Therefore,the distinct compound plasma configuration could be used by the chemicaland electronics industries for lithography or chemical synthesis.

A PMK has a variety of uses. Clean fusion, for the generation of energycompactly and with exceptionally high average power densities, whichwill both extend and enable additional energy applications, is morefully described in the four above-mentioned patents. For fusion, thesource may be scaled up to a larger size, and a gas blanket of fusionfuel may be used as the initial blanket fluid during formation.Furthermore, the pins and annular electrode may be selected from amaterial, such as boron 11 (¹¹B), which does not interfere with thefusion process. For fusion, the PMK may be formed with much more energy,for example one megajoule, using a capacitor bank charged up to 65 KV ormore, and using the appropriate capacitance to meet the desired level ofenergy of the PMK. The PMK may be precompressed using high pressure gaswith a pressure of approximately 2000-6000 atmospheres. Leveraged pistoncompression may then be used to reach higher pressures, such as 20kilobars for a p-boron 11 ignition. Even higher pressures may be usefulfor studying stellar processes; pressures as high as 90 megabars havebeen achieved using explosively driven inductive discharges at the MTFproject at Los Alamos/Aremis.

A PMK burner is illustrated in FIG. 19. PMK burners have been describedin the above cited patents. To accomplish the requirement for pressureshigher than described in previous patents, a dual piston 308 apparatusand compression cylinder 306 may be used. The volume of the burn chamberat ignition is essentially that of the combined volume of the scoops 310when the compression heads 304 are essentially closed at peakcompression. Furthermore, the massive piston rod 312 will act toinertially confine the volume of the scoops 310 for a period of time onthe order of ten milliseconds, allowing an efficient burn.

Due to the small combined volume of the scoops 310, as the heads 304withdraw, two magnetically constricted aperture outlets 314 on opposingsides are exposed. This will allow for the quick escape of the fluid inthe chamber 340, now a plasma, including the remnant PMK plasma, whichcan be directly or indirectly used in various applications. In FIG. 16inductive MHD convertors 238, described below, are present at the exitof the aperture outlets 314. A strong solenoidal field coil 318 liningeach aperture will force the plasma to divert along the axis and avoidthe wall surfaces. To avoid the erosion of the piston heads 304 andcompression cylinder 306 surfaces, they can be coated with an ablatablematerial which will protect, and cool by sublimation, the wall surfacesof the compression heads and chamber. As the piston rod 312 and head 304continue to withdraw, latching mechanisms can be triggered to releasethe compression head 304 from the piston rod 312 in the chamber 316 anddisengage from the cylinder 306, allowing for their continuous orintermittent replacement.

Variable pressure source 326 can be used to precompress the PMK beforeinertial confinement, or in conjunction with the action of the pistons308. The PMK formation chamber 232 is where the PMKs are initiallyformed in the fusion fuel, prior to delivery to the chamber 340.Furthermore, the PMKs may be precompressed prior to delivery to thechamber 304.

The actual dimensions of a PMK burner may vary based on the poweroutput, and therefore the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 19 may varywidely in both size and load capacity. In the PMK burner pressures onthe order of 20,000 atmospheres can be obtained using inertialconfinement. When pressure is applied through adiabatic compression, theenergy concentration of the kernel of the PMK will increasedramatically, increasing the pressure, plasma density, and decreasingthe volume, resulting in an increase in temperature above criticalfusion ignition temperatures. If the initial size of the PMK is large,then a sufficient quantity of fusion fuel will be present to drive arobust burn. Fusion will occur within the burner and substantial fusionenergy will be released. Once fusion occurs, the fusion energy releasedwill supply additional energy to the PMK, and the surrounding fluid,increasing the temperature and pressure of the fluid, thereby continuingthe compression heating of the kernel and assuring continued burning toefficiently consume the fuel. This will assure an efficient output evenin the case of non-neutron yielding fuel, such as protium boron 11(p-¹¹B).

To maintain a three phase operation at 60 HZ, a battery of devices ofthe type illustrated in FIG. 19 may be constructed and energizedsequentially. Thus, each device will provide energy output as its PMKburns, and as the PMK burns out and the fluid, now a plasma, isreleased, subsequent ignition and burner apparatus are started tocontinue generating power. Also, the rapid exchange of compression headscan be handled in the same manner as the exchange of barrels in aGattling gun. Thus, these elements can be taken out of the duty cycleand replaced during continuous operation. The exchanged heads can beannealed, reconditioned or even replaced, allowing for long-termcontinuous operation.

A compound plasma configuration can be used with PMK burner to generatea highly pressurized, hot, dense, and conducting plasma which can beused to directly generate electricity in an inductive MHD process,schematically illustrated in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is an idealized inductiveMHD convertor 238 and power take-off transformer 218. A superconductingcircuit 342 contains a solenoid 214 coupled to a superconducting primarycoil 344 of a power take-off transformer 218. The circuit also includesa bypass switch 346 and an opening switch 348 which allows for externalcharging by a charger 350 of a substantial current in thesuperconducting circuit 342 and the charging of a substantial field inthe superconducting solenoid 214. Since this current is in asteady-state when the inductive MHD convertor 238 is not operating, theoutput bus 220 is off. Also present is a secondary coil 352 of thetransformer.

Hot plasma 212 from a PMK burner for example, is coaxially fed into amagnetically energized solenoid 214. As the plasma enters the cusp ofthe solenoidal field of solenoid 214, it displaces the local magneticfield laterally, compressing it against the solenoidal 214, increasingthe energy of the field. This produces a driving EMF of the current ofcircuit 342, and effectively reduces the inductance of the solenoid 214.The current surge in the superconducting circuit 342 produces anincrease in the field of the flux circuit of transformer 218, thuscausing an EMF and transient pulse to form in the secondary coil 352,which is seen at the output bus 220. The energy is extracted from thehot plasma 212 by its adiabatic expansion against the magnetic field ofthe solenoid 214. The resulting expansion cooled plasma exits thesolenoid as warm plasma 216, which can then be used to drive pulseddirect currents in a cogenerator consisting of a conducting MHDconvertor, which is well known to artisans in the field of MHDtechnology. The inductive MHD convertor 238 has electric conversionefficiencies from 70-95%, depending on the fuel burned in the fusionprocess, and use of co-generation.

The inductive MHD convertor may be used as part of a system for electricpower generation. FIG. 14 is a block diagram for an electric powergeneration system. Fusion fuel 230, such as boron and hydrogen, is fedinto a PMK formation chamber 232. The PMK is then fed first to aprecompressor 234 and then a fusion compressor/burn chamber 236, whichmay be, for example, the PMK burner 300 described above. The hot plasmathus formed is fed into an inductive MHD convertor 238. The thermalfusion energy is converted into electricity, as well as warm plasma 216,which may be split between a conductive MHD generation 244 and adialable (passing through magnetic choke 240) plasma jet/torch 242 forapplications requiring direct thermalization. The residual deionizedplasma/gas emanating from the conductive MHD generator 244 can be fedinto a Sterling cycle electric convertor as represented by the steamelectric convertor 246. The residual gas emanating from the steamelectric convertor 246 may be recycled through the fusion compressionand burn chamber 236. The residual heat collected from the generator andconvertor elements of this system may be removed through a radiator 248.The direct current produced in the conductive MHD generator 244 is fedin along a separate path from the alternating current produced by theinductive MHD convertor 238 and the steam generator 246, to output bus220.

In a similar fashion a high thrust propulsive thermal rocket engine canbe made. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of such a thermal engine. Fusionfuel 230 is fed into a PMK formation chamber 232. Atmospheric gas may beused to resupply the compression blanket for both the precompressor 234and the fusion compressor/burner 236. Simultaneously, the PMK is thenfed into a precompressor 234, and then to a fusion compressor/burner236. This allows the precompression and fusion compression burn to becarried out with air from atmospheric air intake 250, so that air willmake up the bulk of the reaction mass 252 eventually expelled throughthe magnetic inductive solenoid/nozzle 254, which acts both as adirective thrust nozzle and inductive MHD convertor, in order to recoveroperating energy to drive the system. The nozzle 254 may have asuperconducting solenoid similar to the superconducting solenoid 214 ofan inductive MHD convertor 238, except the shape may be parabolic inorder to recover some of the energy of the plasma as electricity, whileallowing a substantial amount of the energy to remain in the plasma(reaction mass 252) to provide thrust.

PMKs can be accelerated with an electric or magnetic accelerator, forexample, a powerfully pulsed coaxial oscillating coil. Accelerators canbe used in tandem and sequentially fired or phased to coincide with theposition of the PMK as it moves, further accelerating the PMK. Thedistinct compound plasma configuration of the present invention can alsobe used for cutting and welding, with the scale of the deviceappropriate for the welding task. For example, a rapid firing (60 HZ)PMK generator and accelerator may be used to form an energetic plasmabeam for cutting or slicing.

Similarly, a PHASER (Phased Hyperkinetic Acceleration for Shock EMPRadiation) gun can be produced, by using a phased accelerator to launchhyperkinetic PMKs through the atmosphere or exoatmosphere. Ahyperkinetic PMK is a PMK which is moving at a speed greater than thatof a bullet fired from a gun, but slower than {fraction (1/100)} thespeed of light. Such PMKs would act like encapsulated magnetoplasmoidbullets which could deliver EMP impulses to remote targets through theatmosphere. Preferably, a hyperkinetic PMK has a velocity of at least 1km/sec, more preferably at least 5 km/sec, most preferably at least 10km/sec. These PMKs would be held in a compressed and energetic stateduring transit to the target by the reaction pressure of the bow shockand ram compression due to deceleration. The bow shock would act as anextension of the plasma mantle and therefore become an integral part ofa modified mantle of the flying PMK The hyperconducting currents in thekernel and modified mantle (the bow shock plasma-vacuum field boundary)would clamp the diffusion of both particle and field flux through theinner surface of the bow shock. The kernel plasma would remainmagnetically insulated until catastrophic impact with the targetoccurred. The EMP impulse delivered by such a device could be used fordefensive or safety applications, such as the interruption of thecomputer control of a runaway vehicle.

A high specific thrust rocket engine, a PMK hyperdrive, can also be madeas shown in block diagram form in FIG. 20. The PMK hyperdrive 338 issimilar to the thermal engine 356 previously described, except thedesign has been hanged because of the unavailability of the atmosphereas unlimited reaction mass. Fusion fuel 230 is fed into a PMK formationchamber 232, and the PMK formed is transferred to a precompressor 234,and then to a fusion compressor/burn chamber 236 to burn the fusionfuel. The hot plasma produced may then be fed into an electric powergenerator 354, to produce electricity. The electric power generator 354may have any number of stages describe for electric power generation inFIG. 14, such as an inductive MID convertor 238 and a conductive MHDgenerator 246. Preferably the electric power generator would remove asmuch heat from the fusion burn as possible. The electric power 336produced by the electric power generator 354 can be distributed asneeded.

Parallel to the electric power generation, the reaction mass 330 isconverted into plasma 252. The reaction mass is fed into a PMK formationchamber, along with spent fuel from the electric power generator 354.The PMK formed in the PMK formation chamber 232 may then be fed to aprecompressor 234 and then accelerated in the PMK accelerator 332. ThePMK may then be sent out the nozzle 334. The nozzle 334 may have asuperconducting solenoid similar to the superconducting solenoid 214 ofan inductive MHD convertor 238, except it would have a parabolic shape.The PMK could be electrically disrupted, such as by turbulence, torecover some of the electrical energy of the plasma as electricity,while allowing a substantial amount of the kinetic energy to remain inthe plasma reaction mass 252 to provide thrust.

The PMK hyperdrive uses a combination of power from a closed cycleelectric PMK power generator and then uses that power to producepowerful continuous acceleration of PMKs for thrust. The magnetic energymay be recovered inductively as the accelerated PMKs are vectored into athrust producing beam. Such a high specific thrust or (hyper thrustrocket engine) could be used for transportation between planets and toand from planetary surfaces which contain little or no atmosphere.

Having generally described this invention, a further understanding canbe obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are providedherein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to belimiting unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE

The following is an example of an inexpensive working device. Theconducting cylinder is composed of ⅝″ copper tubing while the helicalconductor is composed of lengths of single strand 12-gauge copperelectrical wire. A half-inch insulating fiberglass reinforcedthin-walled plastic tube #124 which extend the full length of thedistance between the annular electrode plane and the connecting rod actsas an insulating spacer between conducting cylinder and helicalconductor. A vacuum potable epoxy fills the space within insulating tubeand thus embeds the helical conductor. The insulating material on the12-gauge electrical wires is excellent as a spacer between the multipleelements in the helical conductor, while the wires in the axial bundleare stripped over the length which is inserted and brazed into theconnector rod. The connector rod s composed of a ⅜″ brass plumbing stud.The insulating stress support cylinder which fits snugly over theconducting cylinder is a thick-walled fiberglass reinforced epoxy tube.

Five to eight pins are used, and the pins are simply the ends of thewires which form the helical conductor, stripped of any insulation. Thepins are pointed in a direction which is a continuation of the helicalpath of the wires in the helical conductor. At the formation end of thesource the epoxy is white for intense pulse tolerance, while away fromthe formation end of the source the protrusion of the thin walledfiberglass reinforced epoxy tube is green. The annular electrode is theend of the cylindrical conductor, protruding from the insulation.

The helix formed by each wire has approximately a single turn across thelength of the helical conductor. The angle between the tangent of thewires and the axis of the helical coil is 10-45 degrees. The length ofthe helical conductor is a few inches. The pins each are 1-3 mm long.

The parallel plates connecting the circuit elements are composed of ⅛inch thick copper sheets 18 inches wide, with an intervening largerinsulating sheet, and are of suitable lengths to accommodate the circuitelements. The plates may have the dimensions of a foot and a half by 6or 8 feet. Six 25 to 50 microfarad 20 KV rectangular parallel pipedcapacitors are attached from their cases to the ground plate and fromtheir flat pancake insulated center pins to the capacitor plate, so thatthe parallel inductance of the bank can be maintained. The capacitorplate and source plate are connected to a coaxial spark gap or rail gapswitch of low inductance which for atmospheric work is set for airbreakdown between 7 and 12 kilovolts. Likewise, an array of 6 or 8 classA ignitrons in grounded coaxial housings are attached to the sourceplate by their axial bolts. The ignitrons are 50 to 100 kiloampere,20-25 kilovolt crowbar ignitrons. These can be equally spaced along acircular perimeter which is centered on the connecting coaxial mountingbus.

The pulse trigger for the crowbar switch should be delayed from thefiring of the switch to occur just before peak bank current is achieved.This timing may be adjusted to optimize performance, reliability andefficiency. A series fuse may be used to prevent capacitor failure froman otherwise catastrophic short circuit. These may be made in the formof fusible wire which links each center pin of the capacitors to theplate gap or alternately a disk composed of foil connected in the mannerof a washer from the center pin to the capacitor plate. The volume ofthe PMK produced with this version of the main circuit is about 75 cm³,about the size of a chicken egg.

Just prior to firing the source, a small prepulse may be sent throughthe source. In some cases when the main circuit does not fire, theprepulse appears to have created a small airborne PMK the size of aping-pong ball, but likely with a kernel plasma of 2-3 mm diameter,judging by their approximate 10 millisecond lifetime. The prepulse isproduced by a separate circuit which is identical to the impulsecircuit, except the capacitance is a small fraction (1 μF) of the mainbank, and there is no crowbar switch.

Operation of the Invention

First, a prepulse may be sent through the source to ionize the regionbetween the pins and the end of the conducting cylinder. Tens ofmicroseconds later, the firing switch is closed, sending the main pulsethrough the source. At peak current, on the order of one microsecondlater, the trigger of the crowbar switch may be fired, crowbarring thecircuit. The PMK is allowed to form and detach, where it is free to movewithin the air. Optionally, the fuse may be broken to interrupt andsmother any residual current. The PMK so formed may have some kineticenergy, outward along the axis of the source.

Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/080,580 filed on Apr. 3, 1998,Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/004,287, 60/004,255 and No.60/004,256, all filed on Sep. 25, 1995, as well as internationalapplication PCT/US96/15474, filed Sep. 24, 1996, are all herebyincorporated by reference.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventionas set forth herein.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A method for forming a compound plasma configuration, comprising: driving an impulse current through a helical conductor, a gas, and an annular electrode thereby forming an annular plasma between an end of said helical conductor and said annular electrode; generating an axial magnetic field threading through said annular plasma while increasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode; and generating an azimuthal magnetic field around said axial magnetic field while further increasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode, said azimuthal magnetic field differentiating said annular plasma into a plasma sheath and a central plasma channel.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising inflating said plasma sheath and elongating said central plasma channel while further increasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: forming an helix with said central plasma channel while decreasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode after reaching a maximum for said impulse current.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising coalescing a portion of said helix thereby: forming a plasma ring comprising a circulating current, and forming a plasma mantle surrounding said plasma ring.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said gas comprises nitrogen.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein said gas comprises a fusion fuel.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of pre-compressing said gas.
 8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of compressing said plasma mantle.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said compressing step comprises performing an adiabatic compression. 